soundoff(109 Responses)

Jim

I am sure he will give a good speech. I will feel better. But hen I will realize that I can't spend a good speech at the store – they only take money, and I will feel worse. But wait; the media will tell us we should feel good because it was an excellent speech. Then I will feel better. But then I will realize that I was not a lemming like the "dyed in the wool" party loyalists (whether Democrat or Republican) who childlishly snipe at each other on these blogs. I am an independent, and we expect results.

I wish the best for President Obama, because if he solves this mess we all will benefit. But everyone needs to remember, the independents elect the President, and we are looking for results.

February 25, 2009 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

sam

Mr. President... I voted for you.. so please don't let me down. I believed you when you said... you would bring our soldiers home from Irac within 16 months. All the WORLD is watching now as you are caught in a lie. If you leave ONE soldier there ONE day longer that 16 months.. you have lied to the American people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You will be despised. You will lose the respect of all. Make up your mind.. are you the face of change.. or just another politician.. ...lying to get elected.

February 25, 2009 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

Ummmmmm...

Iraq Withdrawal – Another Broken Promise- Hillary lost. Get the heck over it.

Perhaps you are an expert in tactical command, and can enlighten us on exactly how we should withdrawal?

The fact of the matter is that President Obama did not get us into the Iraq war. He is tasked with the difficult challenge of drawing down our troops whilst creating as little instability as possible in Iraq during the process. That is no easy task- if you think we can just up and leave, you are being naive. Hate to paraphrase, but we literally do have to let the conditions on the ground guide us.

And on Afghanistan, I hate to say (and I am a pacifist compared to most), but immediately after 9-11, I (and many other Americans) recognized that we need to immediately go to Afghanistan and Pakistan and eliminate all terrorist training camps. No humanistic country can allow these things to take place on there soil (keep in mind our very own country has infiltrated scores of domestic terrorist camps throughout our history- where do you think Timothy McVeigh came from?).

It is an absolute MUST that we ensure Afghanistan is not given harbor to terrorist camps. I don't believe that will be a 10yr war. Soon enough, Afghan officials will have had enough, and they will take on the remaining terrorist elements themselves- for the good of themselves and the world.

Bush and Cheney had other plans after 9-11 (and a token invasion of Afgahanistan which should have been much, much more comprehensive- we could have possibly taken out Bin Laden when he was still in Afghanistan), Cheney: "let's use this as an excuse to go and get Sadaam and take over that oil-rich country!". Bush: "okay, Dick- you know politics and foreign affairs!". Funny how now that Bush has reflected on how badly he was played by all of those around him (esp. Cheney) he is not even on speaking terms with the former vice president...

Little did they know how much pain and hardship they would cause us. I frimly believe Dick Cheney is the biggest threat to national security this nation has ever known. He is a terrifying ideologue, who's "ideals" are in complete contrast with our constitution.

February 25, 2009 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |

Thomas

"hateYT February 25th, 2009 1:03 pm ET

But I'm all for leaving iraq….throwing shoes at the one the best presidents this country has ever seen was enough for me."

No the shoes were thrown at bush.

February 25, 2009 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

Ummmmmm...

hateYT- you wonder why people have branded the GOP as the party of hate. Grow a brain, or get lost. Your comments are a waste of cnn.com's bandwidth (and they further the perception the Republicans are largey uncompromising a-holes).

February 25, 2009 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |

EC

My son recently was deployed overseas. I was hoping he would not have to go since the President said he would be withdrawing troops within 16 months. It is time to bring all troops home from Iraq now. Enough of our military men/women have suffered enough. Let them take care of their own country.

It will be interesting to see how the president addresses the issue of troop draw-down and removal. During the campaign he preached immediate pullout, he now sees a need to slow things a bit. I do believe that President Obama will define a plan that shows a swift and prudent withdrawal of our troops, and will show that he is honoring the words his campaign speeches. It appears that more of a bad situation may have been left by the former administration that was known about during the campaigne. War is wrong, always! And we now have a president that understands this.

February 25, 2009 01:32 pm at 1:32 pm |

Anonymous

Obama's agenda is to capture the imagination of the global community! Obviousley he thinks imagination trumps praxis. So he will continue to do what he does best – campaign!

One problem – You can't believe a word he says! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Obambi

"Obama's war" in Afghanistan will take more money than Iraq and will not be winnable. At least, the people of Iraq are free.

February 25, 2009 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Oregon

Can't wait for another wonderful speech by our great new President Obama! Last's night speech was off the top! It's wonderful to have a leader who actually leads and has the best interests of our country and it's citizens at heart.

Now here's what the GOP has tried:
Tried to promote a corrupt woman – didn't work
Tried to promote a token black man as their chairman – didn't work
Now they're trying a "slumdog" token in Jindal. It won't work.

The GOP simply doesn't get it.

Here's a clue: Obama is OUR President.

February 25, 2009 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

Anonymous

Rhetoric may trump praxis for Obama but the rest of us want him to walk the talk! Campaigning may capture imagination but it doesn't seal the deal! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

Anonymous

Rhetoric or praxis Obama? Campaigning may capture imagination but it doesn't seal the deal! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

Anonymous

So far he is Bush 3 on the wars! 🙂

February 25, 2009 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

Anonymous

No change fom Bush on this one! 🙂

February 25, 2009 01:41 pm at 1:41 pm |

Anonymous

So?

Just more campaign rhetoric with no substance! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

Ray Fisher

I'm certain our overworked heroes are anticipating a fresh approach to their plight. These troops have given blood, toil and tears while enduring unspeakable horrors, please grace them with kind words!!!

February 25, 2009 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |

Anonymous

He is following the decider! 🙂

February 25, 2009 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |

Anonymous

Right! But don't cut military spending Obama! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:47 pm at 1:47 pm |

aware

Don't cut military spending?

Rhetoric may trump praxis for Obama but the rest of us want him to walk the talk! Campaigning may capture imagination but it doesn't seal the deal! 😦

February 25, 2009 01:48 pm at 1:48 pm |

Susan, Albany, NY

Will you stop giving speeches and work instead?

Obama is giving 3-4 speeches a week. Preparing for a speech takes atleast one day (however Bush used to take a full week and then also stink at it).

So when does Obama work?

NO MORE SPEECHES.

February 25, 2009 01:51 pm at 1:51 pm |

SMJ

Let's see – all the messes that Bush left for President Obama, and he's trying his best to clean them all up. Iraq is one of the biggest and messiest (not to mention illegal). What is 3 months compared to five years??!! He is listening to the commanders on the ground and following their expert advice. At least he IS LISTENING and acting accordingly. If it takes 3 more months to safely get our men and women out of Iraq – so be it. I am a Navy "brat" who has a tremendous amount of respect for our soldiers and sailors. Those of you casting stones must not have either served or have had someone in your family in uniform. Therefore, you know not of what you speak. Silence is golden.

February 25, 2009 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Michigan Millionaire

GWB had a plan. It was called "the surge." And it worked, despite forecasts to the contrary from our current president and vice president and the democratic leadership in the House and Senate.

February 25, 2009 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Diing

What was the appreciation for our bloods and treasure in Iraq? Throwing shoes at our president?. Come on Iraqis. Who among you could through shoes at Saddam? bunch of cowards!. As of now, i am for the idea of leaving that country.